The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has reaffirmed that HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free, despite financial challenges affecting health programs.
Speaking in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday, NACA Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, made this announcement while inaugurating the Paediatric Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Accelerated Committee (PPAC).
The committee was established to tackle mother-to-child HIV transmission in Delta State, a major concern in Nigeria’s fight against the virus.
Federal Government’s Commitment to Ending HIV
Dr. Ilori highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ending HIV in Nigeria, pointing out the government’s N300 billion allocation to health programs, including HIV treatment and prevention.
She also addressed concerns over the recent withdrawal and temporary reinstatement of US funding for HIV programs in Nigeria, stating that Nigeria has multiple global partners supporting the fight against HIV beyond the US government.
“The federal and state governments, alongside other stakeholders, are working together to combat HIV, particularly in preventing mother-to-child transmission,” she said.
Nigeria’s High Burden of Pediatric HIV
Dr. Ilori expressed concern that Nigeria has the highest number of children born with HIV globally.
The national HIV infection rate stands at 1.4%, while Delta State’s rate is 1.9%.
An estimated 140,000 children (aged 0-14) in Nigeria live with HIV, with 22,000 new infections annually.
Only 33% of pregnant women with HIV receive treatment, falling short of the 95% target set by global initiatives.
To address this, the new committee will ensure pregnant women receive HIV tests and treatment during antenatal care to prevent transmission to their babies.
“If pregnant women test positive, they will receive free antiretroviral treatment to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their child,” Dr. Ilori assured.
She further emphasized that HIV testing and treatment remain completely free in Nigeria’s primary healthcare centers, secondary hospitals, and teaching hospitals.
Delta State’s Plan to Eliminate Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, represented by Permanent Secretary Philomena Okeowo, described the PPAC initiative as crucial to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.
The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Agency for the Control of AIDS (DELSACA), Hobson Rudolf, noted that Delta currently has 62,000 people living with HIV, and the new multi-sectoral committee will develop a roadmap to reduce infections.
Faith-based organizations, WHO, NEPWHAN, SASCP, ECEWS, DPH, and Civil Society Organisations also pledged their support at the event.
Despite ongoing efforts, UNAIDS reports that Nigeria continues to struggle with preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, with 15,000 AIDS-related deaths recorded annually.
The Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children, launched in 2012, has yet to achieve optimal coverage.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
